Well for batteries



(No'Model.) l v A L G. SCHRB'UDER. WELL FOR BATTERIES.

550,533.A y Patentedvlvov. 2 6, 1,895.

- y /m/Y ANDREW EGRANAMAPNUTOLMIQWASI" NGTDDLDC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JENS G. SCHREUDER, OF EDGEWOOD, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SVITGII AND SIGNALCOMPANY,-OF SVVISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

WELL FOR BATTERIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,533, dated November26, 1895.

Application filed December 2, 1893. d Serial No. 492,641. (No model.)

To all whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, `J ENS G. SCHREUDER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Edgewood, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and usefulImprovements in Wells for Batteries, of which improvements the followingis a specification.

In railway signaling, especially electric block-signaling and bells, itis necessary to employ local batteries, which are arranged at pointsalong the track, preferably adjacent to the signal, and are brought intooperation by a relay in a track-circuit by a track-instrument or byother suitable means. It is necessary that these batteries should beprotected as against freezing or other injury. This is generallyeffected by placing the batteries in a wooden box or shaft sunk in theearth below the frost-line. These Wooden boxes rapidly rot out,requiring repairs and renewals, and in some soils the boxes aregradually forced up out of the pits in which they are placed by themovements of the surrounding soil.

The object of the present invention is to provide a battery-well whichwill not be affected by moisture and will not be displaced by movementsof the surrounding earth; and in general terms the invention consists inthe construction and combination substantially as hereinafter more fullydescribed and particularly claimed. v

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, isshown a sectional elevation of my improved battery-well.

In the practice of my invention the lowest section 1 is provided with abottom 2, the edges of the bottom extending beyond the sides of thesection forming flanges 3, upon which the earth is packed, therebyanchoring such section as against any upward movement. The upper end ofthis section and of each succeeding section is provided with abell-mouth 4 for the reception of the lower end of the next succeedingsection 5, as shown in the drawing. The top section 6 is provided nearits upper end with a lateral opening 7, having an overhanging shield 8for the passage of the wires. The cover 9 is provided with a rim l0,adapted to fit within the bell-mouth of the top section.

The several sections of the well are preferably formed of terra-cotta,although they may be formed of any suitable material, as castiron,capable of withstanding for a considerable time destructive atmosphericaction. The several sections are preferably cemented together, sol as toprevent the iniiow of water and the consequent drowning of the battery.

The battery is arranged upon shelves 1l, properly secured together andprovided with a central supporting-rod 12, having an eye, whereby theshelves may be raisedf and lowered when it is desired to inspect orrenew the battery. It is preferred to further protect the battery in thewell by means of a supplemental cover 13, which is supported by straps14, having their upper ends bent to engage the shoulder on the uppersection and their lower ends bent in the opposite direction to formsupports for the cover 13.

It will be observed that `not only will the flange 3 of the bottom 2forman anchor for holding the well in position, but the ends of thebell-mouths 4, projecting beyond the sides of the well, will also servev as anchors, holding the several sections in proper relation to eachother. The sections may be made round or square in cross-section, asdesired. It is preferred to cover the well with a wooden hood 15,provided with a hinged cover 16, so as to protect the projectingportions of the well from injury.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. A well for batteries provided with alining formed of a material refractory as regards atmospheric actionhaving a bottom formed integral therewith and provided near its upperendwith a lateral opening having a protecting shield, substantially asset forth.

2. A well for batteries provided with a lining formed of a materialrefractory as regards atmospheric action, having a bottom formedintegral therewith in combination with a cover formed of like materialand a supplemental cover supported a suitable distance below the maincover, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JEN's e. scEEEuDEE.

Witnesses:

DARWIN S. WoLcorr, F. E. GAITHEE.

IOO

